"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:3).
What a wonderful provision He has made for us as the people of God, given unto us "all things
that pertain unto life and godliness". He, to whom we belong, has made and given to us all that
is needed for the path. This includes "EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES:that
by these ye might be partakers oil the divine nature". (2 Peter 1:4).
It would be impossible to look at all of these promises. Promises to Israel that have been fulfilled,
and promises of yet future fulfillment for them and for us. Promises, also, concerning His coming
in humiliation that have found their fulfillment, and of His coming in Glory yet to be fulfilled, and
just in the offing. We shall look at just a few of the many.
"I will see you again." (John 16:22). He did; having gone down into death, He arose. Yes_ "He
arose a victor o’er the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!"
"Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20).
Glad at His birth. (Luke 2:10). Glad when the wise men from the East found Him. (Matt. 2:10).
Glad disciples at His tomb_"He is not here:He is risen". (Matt. 28:6-8). Yea, in each case
scripture records "GREAT JOY". There was also great joy after His resurrection and upon His
ascension. (Luke 24:52). And there was great joy in Samaria when Christ was preached. (Acts
8:8).
“I will see you again” (John 16:22). We look forward to the fulfilling of the great promise, "And
they shall see His face". (Rev. 22:4). "How will our eyes to see His face delight,
Whose love has cheered us through the darksome night! How will our ears drink in His well-
known voice,
Whose faintest whispers make our soul rejoice!"
"I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." (John
14:3). PRECIOUS PROMISE!
"Lord, we await Thy Glory;
We have no home but there,
Where the adopted family
With us Thy joy shall share.
No place can fully please us
Where Thou, O lord, art not;
In Thee, and with Thee, ever
Is found, by grace, our lot."
"Where I am"_"Where two or three are gathered together unto My Name there am I . . ." (Matt.
18:20).
"Where I am"_"There shall also my servant be." (John 12:26).
"Where I am"_"Father I will, that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am,
that they may behold My Glory, which Thou hast given me:for Thou lovest Me before the
foundation of the world." (John 17:24).
"I will come again” (John 14:3)
"A little while"_come, Saviour, come!
For Thee Thy bride has tarried long:
Take Thy poor waiting pilgrims home,
To sing the new eternal song,
To see Thy Glory, and to be,
In everything conformed to Thee!"
In the meanwhile:"I will not leave you comfortless:I will come to you." (John 14:18).
These promises have been fulfilled. "Wait for the promise of the Father" they were told, and "ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence". (Acts 1:4,5). "He came"_the
promise was fulfilled, and the comfort of the Comforter has been our’s ever since. "I will never
leave thee nor forsake thee." (Heb. 13:5), "So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my Helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Heb. 13:6). For_"I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world." (Matt. 28:20).
May it be ours to stand on these promises, and walk in these promises.
EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES_ May we make them our own!
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Josh. 1:5).
FRAGMENT
Just when I am disheartened, just when with cares oppressed, Just when my way is darkest, just
when I am distressed, Then is my Saviour near me, He knows my every care, Jesus will never
leave me, He helps my burden bear.